Tag Archives: Kitchen Remodel

Biggest Bang For Your Buck

Everyone wants the most bang for their buck, especially when it comes to home improvement, right? Ideally, you want to make improvements or upgrades that benefit you and your family’s needs and lifestyle, while also making smart investment decisions. It can be challenging and time consuming to research the myriad options. Luckily, there is a handy resource available to help. The Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) is a valuable tool for homeowners.

The Cost vs. Value Report examines 29 popular projects ranging from lower cost improvements to upscale remodels and home additions. It compares average costs by region across the U.S. and the value those projects are expected to yield at resale. Below you will find the top five projects in the greater Seattle area, according to and more fully described in the Cost vs. Value Report.

Garage Door Replacement

Topping the list with a potential 115% return on investment in Seattle is the replacement of an older garage door and tracks with an upscale, 4-section, insulated, high-tensile steel door, with lifetime warranty. Includes new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks (reusing existing motorized opener), factory-applied paint, thermal panel seals, insulated windows in the top panel, galvanized steel hinges, and ball-bearing urethane rollers.

Alternatively, replacement with a mid-range, 4-section door and galvanized steel tracks yields a lesser, but still significant return of 84.6%. The example used also includes reusing the existing opener, and is an uninsulated, single-layer, embossed, painted steel door with galvanized steel hinges, nylon rollers, and 10-year limited warranty.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

Stone Veneer Accent

The second project with the highest possible return includes adding a stone veneer accent to the front of the home. This relatively modest investment can dramatically change the exterior and increase curb appeal. Imagine a street of similarly designed homes and one of them has been upgraded with this classic look. If you were shopping for a home on that street, which one would pop out at you?

At a significant potential return of 102%, this upgrade has great value. The example includes removing 300 square feet of vinyl siding from the entire bottom third of the front of the home. Replace with a manufactured stone veneer, two layers of water-resistant barrier over bare sheathing, corrosion-resistant lath and fasteners, and a ½ inch mortar scratch coat and setting bed.

Attic Insulation (fiberglass)

Adding or upgrading fiberglass insulation in the attic comes in as the third highest valued investment. It is estimated the improvement could yield as much as a 96.2% return on investment.

The project example describes air-sealing a 35×30 attic floor to address air leaks from conditioned space to unconditioned space. Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is then added, placing it over the top of any existing insulation that may already be present, until an R-30 insulation value is reached.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Coming in at number four is a modest remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen that is currently functional but in need of cosmetic updates.

Leaving the cabinet boxes intact it includes replacing the cabinet and drawer fronts with shaker style wood panels and new hardware. Replace laminate countertops, sink, faucet, flooring, wall covering, and paint the trim. Replace cook top/oven range and refrigerator with new energy-efficient models. Being careful to stay within a modest budget this type of remodel could yield a 94% return.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Ideally this investment may reduce utility costs and has a potential 91.5% return on a midrange 20-gauge steel door, including half-glass panel, new jambs, aluminum threshold, and new bored-lock lockset.

Our expertise is matching customers with the most appropriate service professional for their project. Each contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, has successfully passed a thorough screening process including reference checks and regular credential audits, and continues to meet high standards of workmanship and professionalism.

Kitchen & Bath Design

Interior design is the first step toward any successful remodeling project. Connecting with a designer who is passionate about your project and who has the necessary skills to help make your ideas a reality is critical. If you are planning anything from a single room remodel to an entire home renovation project, we have you covered. But don’t take our word for it! One of the most sought after designers in our network of home service professionals, Genay Bell Interior Design, was recently named Best Kitchen and Bath Designer in 425 Magazine’s Best of 2016. Way to go Genay!

Genay brings her many years of experience and talent to the table, helping her clients achieve stunning results. If you would like to be connected with Genay for any of your remodeling needs, we would be happy to walk you through the process. Our easy, one-stop process will help you put together an elite team of home remodeling professionals to assist with your entire project, from design to finish.

Mother-in-law Kitchen & Bath Remodel

This mother-in-law kitchenette and bathroom remodel includes all new cabinets, countertops, floors, appliances, fixtures, and lighting. This guest area has been tastefully updated and ready for company! Click on the link for more pictures.

Kitchen – Before Remodel

Kitchen Remodel – after

Bathroom – Before Remodel

New Bathroom Floor & Cabinetry – After Remodel

New Bathtub Surround

New Bathroom Vanity

Top 5 Best Value Home Improvement Projects

If you own a home, it is likely you have an ongoing wish list of future home repairs or upgrades. Deciding which improvements are most important to you and your family, as well as which improvements will produce the best return on your investment, is worth giving careful consideration.

The following article breaks down the Top 5 Best Value Home Improvement Projects in the Seattle area, according to the Remodeling 2015 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com). The full report examines 36 popular projects ranging from lower cost improvements to upscale remodels and home additions. It compares average costs to make the investment by region across the U.S. and the value those projects are expected to yield at resale. More detailed descriptions of each project can also be found in the full report.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

We all know how important first impressions can be. Nothing spruces up the look of a home quite like a new front door. Replacing the entry door is a relatively quick and easy job and adds instant curb appeal. For those handy around the home, it might even be a DIY project. Potentially this investment could reduce utility costs and has a potential 124.2% return for a mid-range steel door with new lockset.

Garage Door Replacement

Upgrading the garage door has a similar eye popping effect as a new front entry door and is the second leading improvement in terms of value. A mid-range 4-section, un-insulated door on new galvanized steel tracks (reusing existing motorized opener) with a 10 year warranty is expected to bring a 121.3% return. Selecting an upscale high tensile steel door that is insulated, includes windows in the top panel, and has a lifetime warranty yields a slightly lower, yet still significant return of 110.5%.

Stone Veneer Accent

Keeping with this year’s theme of adding curb appeal, the third project with the highest possible return is adding a stone veneer accent to the front of the home. This relatively modest investment can dramatically change the exterior and potentially increase salability. At a potential 101.2% return, this upgrade has great value. The example in the report includes removing a 300 square foot strip of vinyl siding from the entire bottom third of the front of the home. Replace with a manufactured stone veneer along the full façade, outlining an arched entry. Imagine a street of similarly designed homes and one of them has been upgraded with this classic look. If you were shopping for a home on that street, which one would pop out at you?

Window Replacement (Wood)

Replacing older double-hung windows with insulated wood windows has multiple benefits. The investment is expected to again just about pay for itself at an estimated 99.5% return. As with the first three improvements, this one again increases curb appeal. However, it also comes with the added benefit of outside noise reduction and lower energy costs.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

The last but not least home improvement project includes a minor remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen that is currently functional but in need of cosmetic updates. It leaves the cabinet boxes intact but replaces the cabinet fronts with raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace laminate countertops, sink, faucet, flooring, wall covering, and paint the trim. Replace wall oven and cook top with new energy-efficient models. Being careful to stay within a modest budget this type of remodel could yield a 97.1% return.

Kitchen Remodel – before and after

Remodeling an outdated kitchen can be one of the most rewarding updates. We are excited to share pictures of our most recently completed kitchen remodeling project. This beautifully remodeled kitchen belongs to long-time customers, Jeff and Kristina. They did a wonderful job designing an open floor plan. You can see from the pictures how removing a few walls and adding a few feet to the kitchen completely transformed the room. What was once an area that was mostly closed off from the dining and living room became an open floor plan, inviting family and friends to mingle and share the open space.

The new cabinets, countertops, backsplash, appliances, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and paint colors compliment each other nicely. Clever placement of cabinetry added more storage capacity than the previous kitchen provided. Tying the three rooms together with beautifully finished wood floors adds an earthy and classic look to the overall space. Thank you, Jeff and Kristina, for allowing us the opportunity to assist on this fun and exciting project. It’s a beauty!

Kitchen – before remodel

Kitchen – after remodel (looking toward dining area)

Kitchen – after remodel (east wall)

Kitchen – after remodel (looking toward living area)

Kitchen and Bath Remodel – Arlington

Mr. and Mrs. Feris in their newly remodeled kitchen.

Kitchen and bath remodels can be tricky projects. Careful planning goes into place to ensure the job is completed as quickly as possible and with the least amount of disruption and mess. Our most recently completed remodeling project in Arlington included a kitchen remodel, two bathroom remodels, and new flooring throughout most of the house. The Feris family was wonderful to work with and they did a fabulous job with design input and material choices. Each room turned out absolutely lovely. Milt, his crew and Contractor Hotline sincerely thank the Feris family for the opportunity to be involved and hope you enjoy your newly remodeled home for many years to come.

Following are a couple before and after photos of the kitchen.

Kitchen Remodel (before)

Kitchen Remodel (After)

Kitchen Remodel 2 (Before)

Kitchen Remodel After (2)

Top 5 Home Improvement Projects

Kitchen Remodel and Full Home Renovation

If you are planning a home improvement project we have good news to share with you. According to the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), for the second consecutive year the value of home remodeling projects is rebounding, with a 5.5% jump (national average) from last year and the largest increase since 2005. A consistent trend in real estate’s rising resale value is driving the overall improvement.

The survey includes data from 35 projects ranging from lower cost improvements such as entry and garage door replacement to upscale remodeling projects and home additions. The report compares the average cost for these improvements against the value they are expected to yield at resale. Actual numbers will vary depending on specific neighborhoods and how closely the improvements match the report’s project description.

According to the report, the top five home improvements with the highest potential rate of return in Seattle are: 1) Entry Door Replacement 2) Minor Kitchen Remodel 3) Siding Replacement 4) Garage Door Replacement and 5) Window Replacement.

Entry Door Replacement (steel): Exterior replacement projects often yield a better return than remodeling projects. They are some of the least expensive and non-discretionary improvements to make that add instant curb appeal. Replacing an entry door is a relatively simple job, highly cost effective, and may also reduce utility costs. According to the report, up to 104.1% of the cost can be recouped to replace an existing door with a midrange steel door and new lockset.

Minor Kitchen Remodel: A minor remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen that is functional but in need of cosmetic updates. It includes replacing cabinet and drawer fronts, including hardware, but leaving the cabinet boxes intact. Replace laminate countertops, sink, faucet, flooring, wall covering, and paint the trim. Replace wall oven and cook top with new energy-efficient models. Being careful to stay within a modest budget this type of remodel could yield a 97.9% return.

Siding Replacement (fiber cement): Siding replacement is good value and can significantly increase curb appeal by improving the overall look of a home’s exterior. Replacing siding with fiber-cement siding can yield an average return of 87.9% on your investment (in comparison vinyl siding yields 67.7% and foam-backed vinyl siding 71%). However, when deciding on the best siding materials for your home it is also important to keep in mind the style of your home and the others in your neighborhood. For instance, replacing traditional wood siding with vinyl may actually detract from the home’s value.

Garage Door Replacement: Replace an older garage door with a new high tensile strength steel door on new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks (reuse existing motorized opener). The upscale category door is foam insulated with thermal seals between pinch-resistant panels, includes top panel insulated windows, and has a lifetime warranty. The return on this improvement is expected to be 87.6%. The midrange category door is un-insulated, single-layer, embossed steel with a 10-year limited warranty and yields an average 85% return. Similar to replacing the entry door, garage door replacement is a relatively inexpensive improvement that adds resale value by increasing curb appeal. The added convenience of a highly functional door goes without saying.

Window Replacement (vinyl): Replacing older double-hung windows with insulated vinyl windows is the 5^th project with the highest potential rate of return. The highest yield on window replacement is 86.9% and is based on a midrange product, wrapping the existing trim to match, and not disturbing the interior trim. Midrange insulated wood windows with the exterior clad in vinyl or aluminum has a slightly lower return of 82.3%. Alternatively, one can expect a 79.3-86% replacement value when choosing upscale, insulated, low-E, divided-lite vinyl or wood windows. The added comfort and energy savings achieved are yours to enjoy above and beyond the resale value of this improvement. © 2014 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Are You Planning A Kitchen Remodel?

Kitchen Remodel - Courtesy of M. DeBoer

Remodeling a kitchen takes careful planning and patience. Most kitchens are the gathering place for family and guests and used daily to socialize, prepare, and enjoy your favorite meals. Take time initially to carefully consider your lifestyle and how your ‘dream kitchen’ fits into it. Start gathering ideas from magazines, the Internet, home shows, friend’s homes, Street of Dreams tours, and home remodeling and decorating television shows.

Remodeling Home Improvement Magazine shares an article by Orlando Kitchens – Pre-planning for your kitchen remodel, Part 1. It describes the three types of kitchen remodels. Understanding the differences will help you decide on the type kitchen remodel that best fits your needs, budget, time frame, and long term goals.

Once you narrow down your kitchen remodeling needs and dreams you will be ready to put those ideas into action. Discussing these ideas with your favorite kitchen design and remodeling contractor will help put your dreams on paper and develop a plan that will soon transform into your dream kitchen.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Ideas

Are you planning a kitchen or bath remodel soon? This weekend, May 18 & 19 you can take the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s self-guided tour of homes featuring some of the latest designs in kitchen and bath remodels. It’s a fun way to see first-hand how you can transform a room to reflect your own personal style and increase its functionality.

Kitchens

Kitchens designed to function efficiently and meet your needs